When they entered 3 Bethlehem, 4 the whole village was excited about their arrival. 5 The women of the village said, 6 “Can this be Naomi?” 7
1 tn The suffix “them” appears to be masculine, but it is probably an archaic dual form (E. F. Campbell, Ruth [AB], 65; F. W. Bush, Ruth, Esther [WBC], 75-76).
2 map For location see Map5-B1; Map7-E2; Map8-E2; Map10-B4.
3 tn The temporal indicator וַיְהִי (vayÿhi, “and it was”) here introduces a new scene.
4 map For location see Map5-B1; Map7-E2; Map8-E2; Map10-B4.
5 tn Heb “because of them” (so NASB, NIV, NRSV); CEV “excited to see them.”
6 tn Heb “they said,” but the verb form is third person feminine plural, indicating that the women of the village are the subject.
7 tn Heb “Is this Naomi?” (so KJV, NASB, NRSV). The question here expresses surprise and delight because of the way Naomi reacts to it (F. W. Bush, Ruth, Esther [WBC], 92).